Iran has struck back – but is it war?

When Israel assassinated a top commander in Iran’s Quds Force in Damascus a fortnight ago, it knew that Tehran would have to respond with a direct attack. So news this evening – that Iran has sent a swarm of kamikaze drones that will take nine hours to reach Israel – is in line with those expectations. Israel had already called up reserve units for its air defence: tonight’s dispatch of about 50 Shahed drones (used regularly in Ukraine) was the minimum of what was expected.

Israel says it will try to take them out as they fly over Iraq (they have already been filmed en route). The question is whether Iran will later reinforce with missiles. A cruise missile will take two hours and a ballistic one about 12 minutes according to Israel’s N12 news. ‘The IDF is implementing the orderly plan for which we were prepared. We prepared for several scenarios in advance’ it has said.